BC

Watts running for leader

Dianne Watts announced her candidacy for the B.C. Liberal Party leadership.

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

An MP for Surrey, B.C., is officially in the running to become the next leader of the B.C. Liberals.

Dianne Watts made the announcement Sunday, saying the Liberals have a strong history to build on, but need to reconnect with voters.

Watts says she will resign from her current role as Conservative MP for South Surrey-White Rock, a seat she won in the 2015 federal election.

Previously, she served as mayor of the Vancouver suburb from 2005 to 2014.

Leadership of the party opened up last month after former premier Christy Clark quit politics following her government's defeat on a non-confidence motion.

B.C. MLA Sam Sullivan became the first person to throw his hat in the ring when he announced his candidacy Thursday, and several prominent provincial politicians are hosting special announcements this week.

Original: 11:30 a.m.

The worst kept secret in politics is about to become public.

Former Surrey mayor and Conservative MP Dianne Watts is expected to become the second person officially in the running for leader of the B.C. Liberals today.

Watts is hosting a special announcement this afternoon where it is expected that she will announce her candidacy.

Watts is currently the Conservative MP for South Surrey-White Rock, a seat she won in the 2015 federal election.

Previously, she served as mayor of the Vancouver suburb from 2005 to 2014.

Leadership of the party opened up last month after former premier Christy Clark quit politics following her government's defeat on a non-confidence motion.

B.C. MLA Sam Sullivan became the first person to throw his hat in the ring when he announced his candidacy Thursday, and several prominent provincial politicians are hosting special announcements this week.